MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) is “a coalition of community and faith-based organizations joining together to give a more powerful voice for issues of justice in our city.” Future901 is excited to share this update and victory regarding Memphis Transit, which MICAH has been heavily involved in helping make happen.
Read MoreMost victims of gun violence survive their assaults. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are left with life-altering injuries and grossly inadequate support to help them move forward. First, according to the Memphis Crime Commission, there is a disturbing increase in the rate of violent crime in Shelby County/Memphis. The murder rate has rightfully gotten a lot of attention. Unfortunately, this only tells part of the story. Left out is the ongoing damage for those that survive.
Read MoreEnergy preservation is necessary in today’s global climate where we face challenges from global warming and reliance on hostile foreign powers for energy needs. As a result, many states have pushed legislation offering green-based initiatives. These programs help insure the overall wellbeing of the planet by monitoring carbon emissions, setting regulations for large companies and pushing for recycling. Currently, the most energy efficient states are Oregon, ranked as first in the nation for energy, followed by Washington and South Dakota. Tennessee is ranked in the middle of the list at 32 for energy.
Read MoreThe most important race on the 2022 Shelby County ballot is the District Attorney’s race. Even more important than County Mayor, because of the DA’s wide, single-handed power. The DA has broad discretion over who to prosecute, what to charge, what plea agreements to accept, and what sentencing recommendations to make.
Read MoreAs one of Shelby County’s ten Judicial Commissioners, I must decide whether or not a person should have an order of protection against another person. Our office reviews and makes decisions on thousands of petitions every year in an effort to provide abuse victims legal protection from their abuser. Although we rarely know the outcome of individual cases, we are all keenly aware that an order of protection is an important and powerful tool for helping victims escape abusive situations.
Read MoreIn this Q&A, Justin Pearson, co-founder of Memphis Community Against the Pipeline (MCAP), shares his experience on how he got involved with the Byhalia Connection Pipeline, what he sees as the next top environmental concerns for Memphians, and offers some encouragement to others wanting to make Memphis a healthier place to live.
Read MoreEvery week I sit with a group of leaders and law enforcement officials from around our community to discuss the shootings in our city the prior week. We look at each case, each victim, each life forever altered by gun violence. We methodically go through every precinct, every shooting, every injury, every hospital admission, every death. And while we look for patterns, connections, ways to help, ways to serve our heartbroken community, every week it becomes more and more clear - we are fighting not just the COVID-19 pandemic, but a pandemic of gun violence as well.
Read MoreIn Making the Grade 2020, the Educational Law Center (ELC) gave Tennessee a grade of “F” for public school funding level and funding effort, as the state spends on average $3,655 less per student than the national average. But this isn’t a new problem. According to the ELC, “if they had made the same effort to fund schools as in 2008, Tennessee would have raised $1,065 more per pupil in 2018.” But the issue isn’t just a lack of effort, it’s a problem with the formula.
Read MoreVictories for the victors are short and sweet. The victory of Memphis and Shelby County over the multi-billion dollar Byhalia Pipeline was a triumph of common sense. The threat of an oil spill was an accident waiting to happen. All of us who live in this part of the world know that our drinking water is not worth the risk. The community was galvanized by the fight – but this was a potential threat to our water supply. What about the existing pollution?
Read MoreTennessee Governor Lee, aided and abetted by his all too compliant “Republican” majority legislature has launched various executive orders and pushed legislative actions to insist on: Prohibited Concepts in Public Instruction, prohibiting mask mandates in schools (and communities), refusing to allow vital virtual education for students or educators homebound due to quarantine or isolation as well as opting to reduce the number of students schooled in-person to reduce the risk of covid infections surging.
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